Saving Grace

by H D Coulter

  “This way.”

  They were finally turning east towards the boat; towards Joshua, and towards freedom. But the ground shifted under their feet. The marshy land reminded Bea of the old salt marches along the estuary back home in England: one wrong step there too, and your feet would be sucked tightly into the bog, making it difficult to move without losing a shoe. After about an hour the marsh-mud gave way to a stream, and then to a river. They must only be a few miles away. The moonlight rippled and glistened off the raging current. But just as Bea was about to smile, and allow a sliver of hope into her heart, she heard the dreaded sound of thundering hooves behind them.

  “Stop!” Bea looked up at Sarah, not wanting to see who she knew was coming up behind, but knowing instantly what to do. Hanley was charging towards them on a sweating black stallion. Bea took a step backwards, toward him. “We must only be a mile or so away from the boat – run! Take Grace away from here – please, save my daughter.”

  Sarah didn’t even stop to nod in her promise as she ran as fast as she was able along the river banks. Bea closed her eyes, sending all her love out to the tiny child she knew she might never see again, and held her ground. Without a second thought, she pulled out the gun and held it out steadily in front of her. “Let them go, Hanley.”

  Chapter 45

  “Beatrice, step aside – you will not shoot me!”

  Bea held the gun in front, pulled back the safety clip and squeezed the trigger hard. The kick-back almost knocked her off her feet, and there was an instant, sharp ringing sound in her ears. She had aimed high above his head as a warning.

  “What the bloody hell are you doing? You could have killed us both if the horse had bolted!” Hanley climbed down and made straight for Bea. Bea clenched the gun in front of her, arms straight and direct, struggling to hear his voice against the constant ringing. “Victor...”

  He stood only a foot in front of her, fury exploding out of him. “Don’t you Victor me!”

  “You need to let us go – let Grace go – we can’t stay here in the south – this isn’t the life I want for her. It’s not your choice.” She demanded in a stern voice, gripping onto the gun.

  “What? Without her father? And don’t tell me for a second that poor excuse of a boy can claim to be her father when she was born of me?” He punched his arms in the air with a hatred to his voice.

  “I don’t want this for her.” Her anger matched his as she held her ground.

  “You’re a good little actress when you want to be Beatrice, but I know part of the evening was not acting – that kiss was real. I love you, and I believe you love me. We can be happy, as a family. We will!” He intensely leaned his body closer, taking small steps towards her, reaching out.

  “I mean it, Victor, don’t come an inch closer to me. You need to stop – to stop all of this! I will protect my child to the death; you know that, if you know anything about me.”

  He held his hands up, his voice dripping with charm, as he took another step forward. “Don’t do this Beatrice – don’t take her away from me. I will find you both again. You won’t be able to run from me.”

  “We don’t belong to you!”

  “Are you really going to shoot me, Beatrice?”

  “Yes.” She said in a bitter tone.

  “No, you’re not. Give me the gun Beatrice, and when we get back home, I promise I won’t punish Jessie for putting this idea into your head.”

  Anger boiled up inside of her. “This was all my idea! And her name is Sarah. You don’t own her anymore, you don’t own us – no person has that right.”

  In one move, Hanley jumped forward and tried to grab the gun out of her hands. Instinctively, he swerved his body to the right as she resolutely pulled the trigger. “Bloody hell... Give me that gun!” Blood pooled on his shirt from the bullet which had grazed his side. The commotion and the sudden gunshot caused his horse to panic and rear up. Within moments, he had bolted into the darkness. Hanley’s eyes had turned to black, and she knew she couldn’t let go. She had to fight once more for her freedom, and despite his size and strength, her hands remained clamped round the gun like a vice. Their bodies pressed together as he yanked at the gun, his sweat and blood, and the heat of his breath pouring down her neck and pooled over her clenched hands. “Let us go!” She screamed.

  “Never...”

  She didn’t know what came first, the sound of the explosion, or the shock shooting through her like a punch to the chest. Hanley’s arms tightened around her for a second. He let out a small, surprised murmur, then slumped to the ground, his hands now removed from the gun and clutching his stomach. The crimson liquid flowed over his fingers as he pressed harder into his abdomen.

  With a thud, the gun fell to the earth. Bea stood motionless, looking down at him.

  “Leave...”

  “I... I-”

  “My men, my brother... they will hear the gunfire and... come looking – you need to run... Grace, she needs you...” As he coughed, blood splattered out of his mouth. For the first time, he looked scared, a man fearful of what he might find on the other side. Then his eyes lost their light, and his chest stopped heaving.

  “Goodbye Hanley,” she muttered over his dead body. Was this what winning felt like? Staring down at the man she had just killed, the man who had caused her so much pain, not just to herself, but to countless others.

  The ground rumbled beneath them. A drumming sound of men on horseback was getting closer. He hadn’t been lying about that. Without thinking, she grabbed the gun and jumped to her feet.

  Chapter 46

  “I can hear someone coming, get the boat ready!” Joshua shouted from the shore. He stared into the darkness, his eyes adjusting to the shadows across the bank.

  George and Beth stood on the ram-shackled steamboat; a makeshift design by a tradesman who had added a steam engine to a large, long fishing boat. An oil lamp attached to a hook swayed back and forth on the prow, echoing the motion of the waves. George stood at the back of the boat and held the rope in both hands, ready to pull it free, while Beth was positioned awkwardly at the engine. They had discovered that the craft moved fast enough, but it was loud, and steam clouds filled the area in an artificial sea-mist, making it difficult to steer.

  In the distance, they could hear gunfire. The sound crackled through the night sky like thunder, making them all instinctively duck. Joshua could feel the ground vibrate as the sounds of human activity grew closer. Through the gloom he could make out... was it? Yes, the silhouette of a dress.

  “They’re here.” He peered past Sarah, who was running towards him. But there was no Bea. “Sarah, thank God – where’s Bea?” The bundle strapped across her body wriggled and cried out in fear. “Quickly, get on!” He held his hands out and guided her towards the ramp, constantly staring into the black. “Sarah, where is Bea?” But he realised she couldn’t speak for panting, and instead kept pointing behind her.

  Beth sprang forward. “Sarah, thank goodness. Here, let me help.” She brought Sarah down onto the deck and guided her toward a bench at the back. George fetched a leather pouch filled with fresh water and handed it to her.

  “Hello little one.” Beth peered into the wrap and saw Grace staring back at her with an anxious expression on her pale face. She unwrapped the child quickly and sang gently to soothe her. After a few more mouthfuls of water, Sarah’s breathing calmed.

  “She’s back there, Joshua – that Hanley found us, he caught up on his horse. She told me to run so she could hold him off – she has a gun...”

  “I’m going after her.”

  George jumped off the ramp and raced over as he grabbed Joshua’s arm. “That isn’t a good idea.”

  “What if they hurt her – what if he now has the gun and has shot her?” The taller man fought with George to break free from his grasp.

  “You don’t know where they are, and if Hanley comes this way, then we need to leave immediately. That’s what Bea would want – that’s why she
sent Sarah and Grace ahead.”

  “Get off me George, I’m not leaving her behind.”

  With his free hand, Joshua was about to punch his friend when another shot rang out. Grace cried out at the startling noise. Within a second, Joshua pulled himself free from George’s grip. He glanced at Beth, trying to soothe Grace in her arms, but all she wanted was to be back in Sarah’s. Bea had risked everything to keep those two safe, possibly her own life. But life without her seemed impossible.

  “You can’t stop me – I’m going to look for her.” Joshua sprinted forward until he glimpsed a figure, frantically running towards the boat.

  “Bea?” Joshua called out.

  “Go.” she screamed through desperate breaths, her figure getting closer.

  The group didn’t hesitate. The sound of the engine bursting into life quietened even Grace, resulting in steam engulfing the boat. George lifted the ramp off the side and pulled the rope free. Joshua held his hand out and helped her to jump on to the boat.

  “Bea, Bea. Are you alright?”

  “It’s not my blood.” A thick, bright red smear mixed in the dirt covered Bea’s dress. Joshua’s eyes darted from her face and down her body, staring at the outfit, a stark reminder of her being locked in the cell. “We need to go now, they’re not far behind!”

  “Who? Hanley?” Joshua crouched down in front of his wife, who had staggered over to sit beside Sarah, glancing from Bea to the riverbank and back again. Beth placed a woollen blanket around her.

  “Hanley won’t be coming. He won’t be coming.” She stared at her red stained hands. “It’s his men – the patrollers – looking for us.” There was a blank expression on her face.

  “Oh, Bea.” Beth wrapped her arms around her.

  “Tell me what happened, my love?” Joshua cradled her head in his hands and using his thumb, stroked her cheek, smearing the tears and blood away from her mouth. She could feel him tugging at her, dragging her back to the land of the living, but all she saw was Hanley’s sullen face. She had killed him. Now all those lies were true.

  “I... he... I didn’t mean it to happen, but it did.”

  “What happened? Is he dead?” The look of horror she gave to Joshua frightened him.

  “I am sorry, but we don’t have time for this. Joshua, I need your help if we are to escape.” George put a hand on his friend’s shoulder and motioned for him to help feed the engine. The sound of the horses grew closer, and they could all hear men calling out to one another. He obeyed.

  Bea watched Joshua, bent over, shovelling a heap of coal, with a thick golden beard and grime smeared across his face, his once-elegant white shirt now grey and ragged. How far he had fallen. This was a path he had never wanted. The unforeseen path.

  The sound of hooves grew around them from both sides of the river.

  “They are close.” cried Beth as she stopped searching the boat and pointed at the opposite side of the bank.

  An armed man with a strong southern accent broke through the tree-line, galloping behind the boat. “Beatrice Mason, you are wanted for the death of Captain Victor Hanley, for the previous theft of his property, and the kidnapping of his child... Stop the boat or we will open fire.”

  Time froze. Each person on the boat stopped what they were doing and stared at the figure on the bank, helpless. Then, as if on cue, the rest of his group joined him, emerging one by one out of the shadows, as a single gunshot fired out into the dark.

  “BEA!”

  Coming soon in late Autumn, Book 3 in the Ropewalk Series,

  ‘The Unforeseen Path.’

  What will happen next, will they escape the south and what happened to Bea?

  Don’t forget to sign up to H D Coulter newsletter to keep up to date on the Ropewalk Series, sneak peeks and giveaways.

  Please keep in mind to rate and review your copy of

  Saving Grace: Deception. Obsession. Redemption

  across all platforms. It helps to support the author and recommend to other readers.

  Acknowledgements

  Firstly, I would like to thank you for reading and supporting the Ropewalk series and leaving a review. It means a lot to me that you are enjoying the journey of Bea Lightfoot as she orienteers through life, finding love and dealing with the challenges.

  Secondly, I would like to thank Andy and Mina, for all the love and support as I write away in my little nook.

  Thirdly, I would like to thank Grace Liddiard my editor and friend, for her patience and being one of the first person to believe in my writing and falling in love with the Ropewalk series. Plus my talented cover designer, Aimee Coveney for bring part of the Ropewalk world to life.

  Next, I would like to thank my friend Lorna Gillies aka author Claire Gillies, she has been there through the dark times and the light. A constant sounding board, encouragement when things get hard and celebrate the wins.

  Next, I would like to thank my fellow writing friends who have supported me; William J. Kite who has been great beta reader with valuable feedback and support. Anne Woodward, another great beta reader and helped me to see through the trees. Steve Gowland, who has been a great beta reader and encouragement. I would also like to thank the two Mark’s who created the Bestseller Experiment podcast and face book group, it is through that I have found amazing writing support and fellow writer friends.

  I would also like to thank mine and Andy’s family and friends for the love and support during the launch of Ropewalk, book 1 in the Ropewalk series. Their encouragement has meant the world.

  There are so many more people who continue to support myself and my new found author career by the help of the ARC reader team and companies.

  Thank you!

  Don't miss out!

  Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever H D Coulter publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.

  https://books2read.com/r/B-A-LLNM-HUWMB

  Connecting independent readers to independent writers.

  Did you love Saving Grace? Then you should read Ropewalk; Rebellion. Love. Survival by H D Coulter!

  The North of England, 1831.

  In the shadows of Ulverston, the Reformer's rebellion is stirring. The classes are at war as Beatrice tries to defy them all for love and freedom. Unaware how embedded the Ropewalk and Lightfoot family are and how her actions could bring it all crumbling down.

  During a time of social unrest, Beatrice Lightfoot wants nothing more than to escape her family's chaos and start a new life. The May Day dance is fast approaching, where for one night a cottage girl can mingle with the social elite. When Captain Hanley offers her the means to attend in return for a couple of dances, the temptation is too great. Ignorant to the true cost and the darkness it will bring.

  A dance with Joshua Mason, the son of a rich merchant, changes everything and their love blossoms. With society pushing Beatrice towards Captain Hanley and the class divide against them, the young lovers must decide if their love is worth fighting for.

  Whilst Captain Hanley, driven by obsession and jealousy, sets in motions a series of horrendous events, the consequences of which will be felt for all involved.

  Now Beatrice must choose between rebellion, love and survival. Before all is lost, and the Northern uprising marches into town.

  Coming on May 11th 2021, Saving Grace; Deception. Obsession. Redemption. Book 2 in the Ropewalk Series. Pre-order now.

  Praise for Ropewalk;

  "Breathtaking. Utterly floored me." William J. Kite

  "Ropewalk follows the tradition of spellbing historical novels with a period story that feels true to life." Odey Ray

  "A must read for historical fiction fans." Amazon reviewer

  "Compelling read. The flow of language and description is masterly. I would heartly recommend it." Amazon reviewer

  "There is heartbreak, love, horror and fear, everything that belongs in a book and then some. If it's good enough that my exterior made my husband want to take
the book away from me, it's obviously one that you need to get your hands on immediately, if not sooner. " Oh look, another book. Book Blogger.

  Read more at H D Coulter’s site.

  Also by H D Coulter

  Ropewalk

  Ropewalk; Rebellion. Love. Survival

  Saving Grace (Coming Soon)

  Watch for more at H D Coulter’s site.

  About the Author

  Hayley is a teacher and whilst living in Ulverston, loved to spend the weekends walking the Ropewalk and the harbour edge and becoming inspired by the stories and legends of the area.

  Read more at H D Coulter’s site.